New Delhi: Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to India, calling him “one of the wisest persons in the world.” The Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of India as a key partner for Kuwait, saying, “India is a very important partner and we count on our relationship.” His remarks were made at the start of a delegation-level meeting with External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, in Delhi on Wednesday evening.
Al-Yahya arrived in India on Tuesday night for an official visit aimed at further strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two countries. On Wednesday afternoon, he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Modi at his residence on Lok Kalyan Marg. Following this, he held talks with Minister Jaishankar at Hyderabad House.
What PM Modi said
PM Modi expressed gratitude for Kuwait’s support to Indian nationals and reinforced the importance of the strong ties between the two nations.
Glad to receive Foreign Minister of Kuwait H.E. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. I thank the Kuwaiti leadership for the welfare of the Indian nationals. India is committed to advance our deep-rooted and historical ties for the benefit of our people and the region. pic.twitter.com/hR5URxPyt5
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 4, 2024
“Glad to receive Foreign Minister of Kuwait Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. I thank the Kuwaiti leadership for the welfare of the Indian nationals. India is committed to advance our deep-rooted and historical ties for the benefit of our people and the region,” PM Modi posted on X after the meeting.
India-Kuwait relations
The relationship between India and Kuwait is rooted in centuries of trade and cultural exchange, predating Kuwait’s independence in 1961. The Indian Rupee even served as the legal tender in Kuwait before its independence, as reported by IANS.
Al-Yahya acknowledged this historical connection, saying, “I think the Joint Committee will solve many issues between Kuwait and India. I think we can draw a roadmap between Kuwait and India and proceed as fast as we can.”
Before the discovery of oil, Kuwait’s economy thrived on maritime activities like shipbuilding, pearl diving, and trading goods such as Arabian horses, dates, and pearls with India. In exchange, Kuwait imported wood, spices, and textiles from India. This legacy of cooperation was celebrated during the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2021-22.
India has a significant presence in Kuwait, with a community of around one million Indians, the largest expatriate group in the country. Indians play vital roles in various sectors, including engineering, medicine, IT, business, and trade. The robust Indian business community, which includes retailers and professionals, has helped strengthen economic ties between the nations. Prominent Indian brands like Lulu Hypermarket and Centre Point have become popular in Kuwait, further solidifying the relationship.
Cultural and social connections between the two nations are also thriving. Over 200 Indian associations are registered with the Indian Embassy in Kuwait, and they actively organize programs to promote cultural exchange and community welfare, as reported by IANS.
